Rule of Fate

Thousands of years ago, a time when humanity believed it had a firm grasp on the universe.

Science was advancing, and the mysteries of the cosmos seemed closer to being unraveled.

But then, something unimaginable shattered their perception of reality.

It began with an ominous shadow in the sky, a massive structure descending through the clouds with an unnatural hum. For the first time in history, Earth was visited by beings from beyond the stars—a big portal unlike anything conceived by human imagination. Its sleek, metallic hull gleamed under the sun, bearing no insignia, no language, only the silent promise of chaos.

The beings aboard the portal didn't come in peace. Instead, they declared war—a war swift and devastating. Humanity, despite its bravest efforts, was no match for their advanced weaponry and unfathomable technology. Within days, the world fell to its knees, cities reduced to rubble, and hope nearly extinguished. Then, as abruptly as they came, the invaders left, their massive ship vanishing into the void.

But they did not leave Earth untouched. Behind them, they unleashed creatures unlike anything Earth had ever known—monsters. These beasts were brutal, savage predators that killed and devoured humans and other living beings with an insatiable hunger. They roamed the lands freely, turning Earth into their hunting ground.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe, humanity did what it could to survive. Massive barriers were erected around cities and settlements, creating fortified safe zones. These barriers, shimmering with energy and towering high above the ground, became the last line of defense against the monstrous hordes. Humanity's biggest weapon was a Sphere with enormous energy, power in it.

To ensure the continued survival of humanity, an elite organization was formed: The Saviors.

These men and women, armed with advanced weapons and unyielding resolve, became the protectors of humankind. They ventured beyond the barriers to confront the monsters, reclaiming what little land they could and ensuring the safety of those within the walls.

The world was no longer the same. It was scarred, divided, and constantly teetering on the edge of extinction. Yet, amidst the darkness, humanity clung to a fragile hope—the hope that one day, they would reclaim their world from the monsters and the terror that began thousands of years ago.

A boy walked down the narrow, dusty road of the city, the sun casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. The air was thick with the scent of oil and metal from the nearby factories. His thoughts drifted to the distant past, the memories of the monsters and the days of chaos. But as always, life went on. He was used to the quiet hum of the city now, the walls of protection and the distant rumble of machines.

Suddenly, a voice called out to him from behind.

"Vairaj!"

He turned to see a young girl jogging toward him, her face lighting up with a smile. It was Zoya, a friend from childhood, always full of energy.

"Yes, Zoya? You called me?" Vairaj asked, raising an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Zoya caught up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Your mom's calling you home. She said you've been wandering around again. Better head back before she sends Jerome after you!"

Vairaj chuckled softly. "I suppose you're right. Can't have Jerome coming after me. Alright, thanks for the heads up."

Zoya grinned. "Anytime! See you later, Vairaj!" She waved as she turned to head in the opposite direction.

Vairaj shook his head with a smile and made his way home, the familiar route leading him to a quiet, modest house nestled near the edge of the city.

When he reached the door, it swung open before he could even knock.

"Vairaj, you're late!" His mom, Elara, greeted him with a warm, caring smile, her hands dusted with flour from baking. She was always busy with something, but there was a gentleness about her, a calm presence that always made him feel at ease.

"Yup, mom, I'm back," Vairaj replied, stepping inside and hanging his jacket on the coat rack.

"Where have you been?" Elara asked, wiping her hands on a towel. "Always wandering around, never helping with anything. You're just like your father sometimes."

Vairaj smiled. "You know me, mom. Just getting a little fresh air."

"Fresh air, huh?" She raised an eyebrow but couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Well, your dad's out back, working on something. Go help him, will you? He's been fiddling with those parts all day."

Vairaj nodded, knowing it would be the usual thing—his dad, Orion, always fixing something, always tinkering with new tech.

He made his way to the backyard, where the sounds of tools clanking and machines humming filled the air. As he stepped into the small workshop, he saw his father, Orion, crouched over a broken device, a series of blinking lights casting a faint glow on his focused face. Orion was tall, with a broad frame, his hair graying at the temples but still holding an air of majesty. Even in his workshop, there was something regal about him—his calm, collected demeanor that made others respect him without question.

"Hey, dad," Vairaj called out.

Orion looked up, his sharp eyes softening when he saw his son. "Ah, Vairaj. You're back."

Just then, Vairaj noticed Jerome, his best friend, standing beside his dad, Theo, both of them looking over the same device. Jerome's short, dark hair and easy-going smile made him stand out next to the more serious faces of their fathers.

"Hey, Vairaj! You finally decided to stop roaming the streets?" Jerome teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Vairaj rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Got my mom's permission to help you guys out."

Orion gave a small chuckle. "We could use the help. This tech is from the Saviors, and it's a bit tricky. Theo and I have been working on it for a while, but we're missing some pieces."

Vairaj leaned in to get a closer look. "What exactly is it?"

Theo, Jerome's dad, who had been quiet until now, spoke up in his low, gravelly voice. "A new type of weapon. Something the Saviors want to make sure is up and running. We've been modifying the circuitry to make it more stable, but these new systems are a headache."

"More monster-killing machines, huh?" Vairaj said with a dry tone, though it didn't hide the underlying respect for the work his dad and Theo had done for the Saviors.

Jerome shrugged. "Better that than nothing. The monsters still roam outside the barriers.

Someone's got to keep them in check."

Orion nodded in agreement, a somber look crossing his face. "Exactly. These tools, the tech we work on, it's what keeps everyone safe. It's what your mother and I—what all of us—fight for."

Vairaj placed a hand on the device, feeling the weight of his father's words. "Alright, what do you need me to do?"

Theo handed him a small set of tools. "Hold this steady while I make some adjustments.

Jerome, give me a hand with these cables."

For the next hour, the four of them worked together in silence, their motions practiced, as the clinks of metal and hums of machinery filled the space. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was meaningful. Vairaj could feel the weight of the world outside the workshop, but here, with his family and friends, he felt like he was making a difference, however small.After the work was done, Jerome grinned at Vairaj, wiping his hands on his pants. "Come on, Vairaj. Let's get out of here for a bit. I need a break from all this tech stuff."

Vairaj sighed but smiled. "Fine, I could use a walk anyway."

The two of them stepped outside, the cool air hitting their faces as they walked through the quiet streets. They had been inseparable since childhood—always together, always looking for adventure, even in the midst of a broken world.

As they strolled down the road, Jerome suddenly stopped in front of a small bookstand.

"Hold on, I need to grab something," he said, his eyes scanning the shelves.

Vairaj leaned against a nearby wall, clearly not as enthusiastic about the books. "You and your books, Jerome. You know, some of us just want to enjoy the quiet for a minute."

Jerome chuckled. "You'd be lost without books, Vairaj. I swear, you can't get enough of them when it's something you want to learn."

Vairaj shrugged, not denying it. "Maybe, but it's not like you're any different. The way you go on about tech is enough to make anyone dizzy."

Jerome finally picked up a small book, its cover worn and faded. "Found it! This one's about advanced tech. It's got diagrams for creating armor—things that could help fight those monsters. I'm thinking I could build something like this, something that would make us more useful when we're outside the barrier."

Vairaj raised an eyebrow. "Armor? For fighting monsters? I don't know, Jerome, we're not exactly... well, monster hunters."

Jerome's eyes sparkled with excitement. "But that's the thing! We could be. We already know how to work with tech, and this could help us get stronger, protect the city better. We could make a difference."

Vairaj paused, considering his friend's words. "Well, I guess it would be pretty cool to have some armor if we ever ran into any trouble."

As they continued walking, Vairaj tried to avoid the busy road with vehicles zipping by. But as usual, his attention drifted.

"Vairaj, watch out!" Jerome suddenly grabbed his arm, pulling him back. Vairaj had been too close to the road, almost stepping into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Vairaj groaned, pulling his hand away. "You know, you act like I've never walked alongside a road before."

Jerome shook his head, laughing. "You never pay attention, do you? You've got to stop acting like you don't care. One of these days, you're going to cause a mess."

Vairaj rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. But I'm still walking, aren't I? It's not like anything's happened yet."

Jerome sighed, shaking his head again. "You're impossible. Honestly, I think the world's going to be saved by me, and you'll just be laying like a dead meat ."

"Hey!" Vairaj protested, nudging him playfully. "I'm not a dead meat , I'm a lazy genius. When I take interest in something, it's usually going to be something really good."

Jerome raised an eyebrow. "You and your lazy genius routine. Okay, fine. But don't blame me if one day a car hits you because you were too busy staring at the clouds or something."

As they walked through the street, Vairaj spotted Zoya coming toward them. She had her usual determined stride, looking after everyone. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of strength and kindness.

"Hey, Zoya!" Vairaj called out.

Zoya smiled and waved. "Hey, you two. What are you up to now?" Jerome grinned. "Just trying to keep Vairaj from getting run over by a car."

Zoya laughed softly. "You two are hopeless. I swear, Vairaj, you always need someone to look after you." She walked up to them, then turned to Vairaj with a teasing look. "And you're still walking like you don't know the difference between the sidewalk and the street. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Vairaj rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

Zoya crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "You're the one who almost walked into the road without a care in the world. It's like I have to keep you from getting into trouble all the time."

Jerome laughed. "At least one of us is trying to save him from himself."

Zoya gave Jerome a playful shove. "Hey, you're not helping either, you know. If you keep letting him wander off, you'll both end up in the same mess."

Vairaj grinned. "See, guys? It's not that bad. You both take care of me too much."

Zoya softened, her face serious for a moment. "Someone has to. We've been together for so long. You're not alone, Vairaj. You've got me and Jerome. You know that, right?"

Vairaj's smile faded slightly, and he nodded. "Yeah, I know. I guess I'm lucky to have you guys."

Jerome slapped him on the back. "And lucky for you, we're not about to let you get into any more trouble. So, what's next on the agenda? More wandering or maybe we'll actually do something productive?"

Vairaj grinned, his usual mischievousness returning. "How about we try making that armor you were talking about?"

Zoya raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

Vairaj nodded. "I am, actually. Maybe it's time we make something that really matters."

Jerome's eyes lit up. "Now that's more like it!"

And together, they walked down the street, ready for whatever the future—however unpredictable—might bring.

As Vairaj and Jerome walked through the bustling streets, a group of Saviors officers passed by. They wore their signature blue and silver uniforms, the emblem of the Saviors proudly displayed on their shoulders. People around them stood with respect, stepping aside to let the officers through. The officers, though no different from any other warriors in build or demeanor, radiated an air of authority and respect.

Vairaj's eyes followed them with curiosity. "Jerome, what's the deal with the Saviors? Why does everyone treat them like... like royalty?"

Jerome, always ready with an answer, nodded. "The Saviors are elite warriors. They protect the cities, fight the monsters. But to become one of them, you have to join the training camp.

You start as an amateur, and after a lot of hard work, you move up. The ranks go like this:

Amateur, Elite, Master, and then, if you're good enough, you become a God."

Vairaj's eyes widened. "God? Like... what do you mean?"

Jerome explained, "Yeah, it sounds crazy, right? But it's true. The Saviors get their powers from the Sphere. It's this energy source they found in a cave. It gives them abilities, makes them stronger, faster, and able to fight better than anyone. But before all that, you've got to be a warrior. You can't just jump in and expect to be a God. You've got to train, fight, and prove you're worthy."

Vairaj nodded thoughtfully. "So, you start as an amateur, and over time, you get stronger, right?"

"Exactly," Jerome said, glancing at him. "But it's not easy. It's brutal training, and the competition is fierce. Only the best make it to the top."

Vairaj was silent for a moment, contemplating what he'd just heard. The idea of becoming a warrior—one with real power—seemed so far-fetched, yet so alluring. He looked up at Jerome. "You know what, Jerome? I think I'll join the Saviors."